Clinical characteristics and frequency of pulmonary embolism in patients followed with COPD

<bold>Aim:</bold> Acute exacerbation of COPD and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) are often presents similar clinical presentation. This study investigates the frequency of PTE in patients followed up with the diagnosis of COPD evaluates the factors that may affect the embolism status of these patients. <bold>Methods:</bold> 458 patients with prediagnosed of COPD and hospitalized with prediagnosis of PTE between 2016-2021 were included and searched retrospectively. After exclusion criteria 178 patients with a diagnosis of COPD and investigated with a prediagnosis of PTE were identified. These patients divided into two groups as those with PTE and without PTE. <bold>Results:</bold> Atherosclerosis was found to be lower in patients with PTE than the group without PTE. The presence of hemoptysis, immobility and sudden desaturation were significantly higher in the group with PTE than in the group without PTE. COPD years were longer in patients with RV/LV ratio ≥1. Although d-dimer was negative, embolism was detected in 31.5% of the patients with PTE. D-dimer was positive in 53.6% of the patients without embolism. Positive correlation was found between GOLD stages and CRP values (r=0.327, p<0.01). DVT was found in 31 of the patients with embolism and additional risk factors were observed in others. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1236/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Evaluation of the predisposing factors and clinical findings of the patients is more important for the preliminary diagnosis and further examination plan.